STAND. COM. REP. NO. 458-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2218

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2218, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION ACT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to amend the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920, as amended, to increase the loan limit for direct loans provided by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands from fifty percent to seventy-five percent of the maximum single residence loan amount allowed by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development's Federal Housing Administration.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

Your Committee finds that the cost of living in Hawaii is one of the highest in the nation, forcing many native Hawaiians to move to the mainland in search for more affordable housing. Although the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands can provide direct loans to beneficiaries to purchase a home or make improvements, your Committee finds that the existing loan limit is not sufficient to match the increase in the cost of living in the State. This measure will increase the loan limit for a single residence loan amount, thereby ensuring that beneficiaries have the financial assistance to continue living in Hawaii.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2218, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair